What to buy first?
- Thread starter ACAS1207
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nilsdiver
Contributor
1) X-Scooter
2) the other stuff
2) the other stuff
Okay- my two pennies
Reg- The only thing you HAVE to have underwater? Air. Your gear, most important IMO
Computer- ascent times, NDLs, surface interval, it accounts for all of it. And rentals can be dicey.
BCD- Face it, you Can wear any bcd, but they are like underwear- yours will fit the best, and you can sure of how it has been treated and cared for....
Emergency gear- did I need to bring up the smb, mirror, whistle... all that?
DAN insurance- seriously, have some.
Random bits and bobbles...
good diving.
And don't stress about this too much. You'll accumulate it. We all do. As long as the kid's college money holds out, that is...
Reg- The only thing you HAVE to have underwater? Air. Your gear, most important IMO
Computer- ascent times, NDLs, surface interval, it accounts for all of it. And rentals can be dicey.
BCD- Face it, you Can wear any bcd, but they are like underwear- yours will fit the best, and you can sure of how it has been treated and cared for....
Emergency gear- did I need to bring up the smb, mirror, whistle... all that?
DAN insurance- seriously, have some.
Random bits and bobbles...
good diving.
And don't stress about this too much. You'll accumulate it. We all do. As long as the kid's college money holds out, that is...
DivingPrincessE
Contributor
My (personal) short recomendation:
1. Wetsuit 2. Computer 3. Reg 4. BCD or BP/W
The long answer:
The first things I would recommend buying are a wetsuit and dive computer. People pee in wetsuits...so it's best to have your own.
A dive computer will help you with ascent rates, deco time remaining, logging the dives, etc...and it's just so much easier than worrying about the tables. Some old-timers and DIR dives might say you don’t need a computer, and/or don’t need one right away…it’s a personal preference and I’m glad its one of the first things I got.
A reg was the next thing I got because, as others have stated, it's a life support item...and after diving with some poorly maintained rentals (in quarries luckily) I was eager to have one that I knew had been properly cared for. Plus...just the hygiene factor of rentals having been in someone else's mouth (gross).
Then the last item I got was a BCD...although it was kindof a waste because I'm going to end up buying a BP/W in the next 6-12 months. Oh well doesn't hurt to have an extra BC lying around the house.
When you are ready to buy gear do some research in the appropriate forums below. Also it really helps to find an honest LDS that cares more about getting you good gear than making a sale, although these are getting harder to find. Try to find one who’s prices aren’t well above prices you can find online (my LDS actually has lower prices than the Internet), and who carries many different brands.
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/q-scuba-manufacturers/
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/buoyancy-compensators-bc-s-weight-systems/
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/computers-gauges-watches-analyzers/
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/exposure-suits/
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/regulators/
And a final note, when you are searching for info on SB…use the “search” feature. The advanced search with “title” option is especially helpful. If you are in the advanced search area…where it says “Search by Key Word.” In the drop down menu it currently has “search entire posts” but you can change that to “search titles only.” Most questions you will have, have probably been asked already.
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/search.php
Good Luck!
1. Wetsuit 2. Computer 3. Reg 4. BCD or BP/W
The long answer:
The first things I would recommend buying are a wetsuit and dive computer. People pee in wetsuits...so it's best to have your own.
A dive computer will help you with ascent rates, deco time remaining, logging the dives, etc...and it's just so much easier than worrying about the tables. Some old-timers and DIR dives might say you don’t need a computer, and/or don’t need one right away…it’s a personal preference and I’m glad its one of the first things I got.
A reg was the next thing I got because, as others have stated, it's a life support item...and after diving with some poorly maintained rentals (in quarries luckily) I was eager to have one that I knew had been properly cared for. Plus...just the hygiene factor of rentals having been in someone else's mouth (gross).
Then the last item I got was a BCD...although it was kindof a waste because I'm going to end up buying a BP/W in the next 6-12 months. Oh well doesn't hurt to have an extra BC lying around the house.
When you are ready to buy gear do some research in the appropriate forums below. Also it really helps to find an honest LDS that cares more about getting you good gear than making a sale, although these are getting harder to find. Try to find one who’s prices aren’t well above prices you can find online (my LDS actually has lower prices than the Internet), and who carries many different brands.
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/q-scuba-manufacturers/
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/buoyancy-compensators-bc-s-weight-systems/
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/computers-gauges-watches-analyzers/
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/exposure-suits/
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/regulators/
And a final note, when you are searching for info on SB…use the “search” feature. The advanced search with “title” option is especially helpful. If you are in the advanced search area…where it says “Search by Key Word.” In the drop down menu it currently has “search entire posts” but you can change that to “search titles only.” Most questions you will have, have probably been asked already.
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/search.php
Good Luck!
Thanks for all the feedback. I think I've been convinced to go with a reg first so I will begin my research. Makes sense, as many said, your life depends on it. DivingPrincess tipped the scale for me, her reason for getting the reg 2nd are good reasons to get it 1st. DP....Thanks for the links!
Anthony
Anthony
nereas
Contributor
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Here is my own list of the order in which to buy:
1) mask
2) snorkel
3) booties
4) open-heel fins
5) adjustable pouch weight belt
This much I guess you already have, so here is the answer to the rest of your question:
6) nitrox dive computer
7) wetsuit or drysuit for your area
8) regulator assembly (1st stage, two 2nd stages, SPG, 2 LP hoses, DiveAlert horn)
9) backplate & wing & STA
10) other accessories (knife, lights)
11) tanks
12) oxygen analyzer for nitrox
13) DPV (X-Scooter)
14) submersible metal detector
15) camera housing & strobe(s)
16) video camera & housing
1) mask
2) snorkel
3) booties
4) open-heel fins
5) adjustable pouch weight belt
This much I guess you already have, so here is the answer to the rest of your question:
6) nitrox dive computer
7) wetsuit or drysuit for your area
8) regulator assembly (1st stage, two 2nd stages, SPG, 2 LP hoses, DiveAlert horn)
9) backplate & wing & STA
10) other accessories (knife, lights)
11) tanks
12) oxygen analyzer for nitrox
13) DPV (X-Scooter)
14) submersible metal detector
15) camera housing & strobe(s)
16) video camera & housing
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